Cider - Shop now
Buy new:
-51% $14.65
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 13 to Nashville 37217 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: Always Best Dealz LLC
$14.65 with 51 percent savings
List Price: $29.95
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 13 to Nashville 37217 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 1 hr 48 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.65 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.65
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$11.48
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item is at an Amazon warehouse waiting to be shipped to you by Amazon. We do this to provide the best shipping experience. In the very unlikely event of something going wrong with your order, Amazon will provide the customer service and process a return, if necessary. This item is at an Amazon warehouse waiting to be shipped to you by Amazon. We do this to provide the best shipping experience. In the very unlikely event of something going wrong with your order, Amazon will provide the customer service and process a return, if necessary. See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 14 to Nashville 37217 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.65 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.65
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

David S. Richeson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Tales of Impossibility: The 2000-Year Quest to Solve the Mathematical Problems of Antiquity Hardcover – Illustrated, October 8, 2019

by David S. Richeson (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.65","priceAmount":14.65,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"65","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Qml4m1g4qpxLhct2YuKJeifg6Xa8Udw3GtFamiRF6RhyOzpEEFr8gzOEYlURpcVTOfEru8Cck3EeL3YoUe%2FJIXtJNmPmETTWkFAFGn5N0th%2BY4Q311m%2BOBaxR95znnbtMxR8b9AcKyNPQl2zjFECNgNqcekXoWqDMHhad9bjDDtjEpoyAVGxX5A2v2Yf%2BRIr","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.48","priceAmount":11.48,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"48","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"Qml4m1g4qpxLhct2YuKJeifg6Xa8Udw31fJUGGR8k9gW8HSkPDDbW0EBNHLf6o9RI%2FZEFcKWM5UK6oZBRXPil49uykJpwL7V8d3CVtlv79jY2vHtpc9ZOmN71TsYb%2FWDvHQFWhcokZ8YO0bBQdy6Wsu2mVgyFoYocqwgrRBOF6I38U0pwg676w%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A comprehensive look at four of the most famous problems in mathematics

Tales of Impossibility recounts the intriguing story of the so-called problems of antiquity, four of the most famous and studied questions in the history of mathematics. First posed by the ancient Greeks, these compass and straightedge problems—squaring the circle, trisecting an angle, doubling the cube, and inscribing regular polygons in a circle—have served as ever-present muses for mathematicians for more than two millennia. David Richeson follows the trail of these problems to show that ultimately, their proofs—demonstrating the impossibility of solving them using only a compass and straightedge—depended upon and resulted in the growth of mathematics.

Richeson explores how celebrated luminaries, including Euclid, Archimedes, Viète, Descartes, Newton, and Gauss labored to understand the problems of antiquity, and how many major mathematical discoveries were related to these explorations. Though the problems were based in geometry, their resolutions were not, and had to wait until the nineteenth century, when mathematicians had developed the theory of real and complex numbers, analytic geometry, algebra, and calculus. A little-known mathematician named Pierre Wantzel and Ferdinand von Lindemann, through his work on π, finally determined the problems were impossible to solve. Along the way, Richeson provides entertaining anecdotes connected to the problems, such as how the Indiana legislature passed a bill setting an incorrect value for π, and how Leonardo da Vinci made elegant contributions to the puzzles.

Taking readers from the classical period to the present, Tales of Impossibility demonstrates how four unsolvable problems captivated mathematical thinking for centuries.

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    456 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    October 8, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.5 x 9.3 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691192960
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691192963
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I greatly enjoyed Richeson's Tales of Impossibility. It deserves to become a classic and can be highly recommended."---Robin Wilson, Times Higher Education

"Even if you never read a single proof through to its conclusion, you’ll enjoy the many entertaining side trips into a geometry far beyond what you learned in high school."---Jim Stein, New Books in Mathematics

"The whole book, both informative and amusing, is a highly recommended read."---Adhemar Bulteel, European Mathematical Society

"This book was a pleasure to read and I would recommend it for anybody who wants a lovely overview of many areas of the history of mathematics, with a focus on some very easy to understand problems."---Jonathan Shock, Mathemafrica

"Richeson clearly explains what it means to be impossible to solve a problem, cites other impossibility results, goes into detail about geometric constructions with various instruments, and discusses the defective proofs and the cranks that have turned up along the way." ― Mathematics Magazine

"This fascinating text will appeal to all those interested in the history of mathematics, not leasy because of its helpful notes on each chapter and its two dozen pages of references for further reading"---Laurence E. Nicholas CMath FIMA, Mathematics Today

"

A fact-filled, insightful, panoramic view of how mathematics developed to what it is today transformed by folks thinking both inside and outside of G so as to resolve the impossible.

"---Andrew J. Simoson, Mathematical Intelligencer

Review

"This engaging and well-written book covers more ground than previous books on the classical improbability problems. Numerous historical asides add to the enjoyment of this work. Highly recommended!"―Eli Maor, author of Music by the Numbers

"Tales of Impossibility presents an absorbing account of the history and mystery of problems whose infeasibilities are woven into the architecture of mathematics itself. Richeson shows us that what is not possible can be just as inspiring as what is. All math lovers will find gems to mine here."―Francis Su, author of Mathematics for Human Flourishing

"Tales of Impossibility is the story of a mathematical treasure hunt, and it's a treasure chest in its own right. Inside are nifty proofs, historical surprises, tasty miscellany, and most of all, the rich mathematical narrative of a quest that has consumed geniuses and eccentrics alike. This is the history of math's greatest tease―and it is immensely satisfying."―Ben Orlin, author of Math with Bad Drawings

"Tales of Impossibility contains mathematics that is interesting and perhaps new to most readers. The book features helpful diagrams and footnotes, quotations that amplify the subject matter, and even funny material here and there."―William Dunham, author of The Calculus Gallery

"Richeson has put together a fascinating account of mathematical impossibility, focusing on the ruler and compass problems of the ancient Greeks. This is a story of the problems and the people involved―but even more so of the changes in mathematical thinking that made it possible to prove impossibility."―Henry Segerman, Oklahoma State University

"Tying together Lincoln, Napoleon, dramatic duels, and amazing intellectual achievements spanning more than two millennia, Tales of Impossibility presents a terrific story. Even while unfolding some of the oldest and most familiar logical challenges, Richeson uncovers intriguing ideas and details that will be new to all readers, even the most mathematically experienced."―Glen Whitney, founder of the National Museum of Mathematics

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; Illustrated edition (October 8, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 456 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691192960
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691192963
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 40 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
David S. Richeson

David S. Richeson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
40 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dave J P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly informative and excellently written
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A fascinating complete history of the subject, replete with relevant mathematical details and very clear explanations, including interesting math anecdotes between each chapter. I really enjoyed the chapters on Descartes, who (I did not know) was a brilliant mechanical engineer as well as a great mathematician (although his philosophy, not discussed by this book's author, is unsatisfying, marred by an inadequate approach to metaphysics). The author deserves A= for both his competent treatment of the mathematics and its historical context, as well as for his skillful command of a riveting style of writing..
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Millie
    5.0 out of 5 stars a nice mix of history and mathematics
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book gives us a nice mix of history and mathematics. There are some interesting historical figures, and a lot of mostly mathematical "tangents" that give the book some depth. It took patience to get to the actual proof of the impossibility of the four problems in question (trisection of an angle, squaring the circle, doubling the cube, and inscribing any polygon in a circle), but I was only impatient because I did not appreciate how complex the solution will end up being. It is a basic, understandable, and illustrative example of how one seemingly unrelated area of mathematics is used to solve a long-standing problem in another area. For context, I have a bit more than the basic college-level background in math (calculus 1 and 2), but not much more, and I think people who did well with high-school math will be able to appreciate the book.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • JarDan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to my math books collection!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Looking forward to browse through the pages!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Learn how mathematicians work through vexing problems.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fun reading for those interested in a quick survey of development of geometry and Algebra. Lots of anecdotes about many colorful individuals who have made it possible learn geometry and algebra with moderate effort.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Nightcap
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great overview and primes you to seek more.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A math history book with actual math.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2020
    Really enjoyed the book. I’ve frequently been disappointed by history of science and math books for not having enough actual science and maths, and focusing more on breezy story telling (looking at James Gleick). This was perfect. The explanations of even the more complicated bits was very clear. I wish I had bought the paper copy and sat down with a compass and ruler for the geometry bits and with a pen and paper to work through some of the algebraic examples.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • plandt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Well done book by a great author! I've been going through the book with an autistic young man and it's amazing the thought processes he shares in relation to the book.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Robert Morewood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Replacing my misplaced copy.
    Reviewed in Canada on October 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Although it does not fulfil the promise of proving pi irrational with only a high school background, most of it is definitely accessible to almost any high school student and it goes on many fascinating side quests describing how to accomplish the classically impossible constructions with the aid of an additional tool...
    Report